Prosecutors in Taiwan on Thursday summoned a prominent businesswoman and her family as the corruption case of Taiwan's former leader Chen Shui-bian continues.

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) under the island's prosecution authorities summoned Diana Chen, chairwoman of Taipei 101 Mall, to question her about alleged financial ties to Chen Shui-bian's family, according to local media reports.

Six others, including Diana Chen's parents, were also asked to report for questioning.

SIU spokesman Chen Yun-nan refused to discuss the questioning, only describing Chen and her parents as "witnesses" in the case.

Wu Shu-jen, wife of detained Chen Shui-bian, has long been suspected of having connections with, or taking kickbacks from, financial companies that hoped to benefit from financial reforms during Chen's term.

Also on Thursday, the Taipei District Court sentenced former intelligence head Yeh Sheng-mao to 10 years imprisonment for his involvement in the corruption case of Chen Shui-bian.

Yeh, former "director-general of the bureau of investigation" under Taiwan's "justice ministry," was accused of helping Chen allegedly cover up the latter's embezzlement of huge amounts of public money.

The ex-intelligence chief disregarded his duties by providing Chen with classified information and documents on the latter's money laundering, according to the court.

It further accused Yeh of lacking sincerity as he had changed his confession several times, which indicated that the former intelligence head had never shown remorse for his misconduct.

Yeh was arrested on Oct. 6, becoming Taiwan's first intelligence chief to be taken into custody.

The court again named Chen Shui-bian, his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and a consultant as defendants in the money laundering case in light of further evidence from Yeh's case.

Local prosecutors said the investigations would continue.

(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2008)